"So," Ian said lazily, "what kind of Devil Fruits are up for auction?"
"Apparently quite a few," Morgans replied, "but only one has been publicly announced by the organizers."
"It's a Paramecia-type—Gold-Gold Fruit."
"Hm?"
The laziness vanished from Ian's face in an instant. "Did you say, Gold-Gold Fruit?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Nothing,"
Ian's lips curled into a smirk. "I just think that Devil Fruit is kind of interesting."
If it's the Gold-Gold Fruit, then I remember now.
This must be that auction my good brother Doffy organized, right?
He put the Gold-Gold Fruit on display to attract guests—never actually intending to auction it off.
But unfortunately, that fruit ended up getting snatched by a certain someone.
That person's name was Gild Tesoro.
Also known as the Golden Emperor. In the movie, he was the richest man in the world—at one point controlling twenty percent of all the money in the world.
A true billionaire in every sense. The wealth Ian had in his hands wasn't even worth mentioning in comparison.
Sounds pretty interesting.
Just in time, too. Handling affairs on Hive Island every day has been dull.
Aside from training Yamato and Hancock, all he does is paperwork.
Boring to death.
Might as well go out and have some fun.
Gild Tesoro is a top-tier business genius. The Gold-Gold Fruit can only control gold; it doesn't have the ability to create gold out of thin air! His wealth was earned through his intellect.
Such a top-tier manager, wouldn't it be a waste not to get in touch with him?
"Two weeks later, Siliya Island, right?"
Ian chuckled lightly, "I'll be there on time."
"Ah?"
Morgans was stunned for a moment, "You're going in person?"
The auction... What kind of honor is it to have an emperor attend?
In his mind, Ian could have just sent someone else, right?
"Isn't that fine?" Ian asked in response.
"Of course not."
Morgans quickly replied, "Hehehe, it'll actually be more interesting if you come in person! Then I'll go too!"
"Suit yourself."
Ian casually said.
After finishing the call with Morgans, Ian began to ponder.
Who should he bring along?
While Ian was deep in thought, in Dressrosa.
On one side of the city, the former farmland had been replaced by a wide estate.
Now, everyone in this country knew that this estate was the stronghold of the Donquixote family. No one dared approach it on a normal day.
Even legal pirates are still pirates. They're quite intimidating.
"Doflamingo!"
In the estate, a group of Donquixote family members were packing their bags.
The man, whose body was sticky and seemed to be made of mucus, Toriboro, muttered, "Are you sure there won't be any problems? The Gold-Gold Fruit is extremely valuable. Once the news gets out, there will be plenty of people coveting it."
"Hehehe, so—"
The ever-stylish Doflamingo, wearing a red suit, spoke.
His golden hair stood up in a fiery manner, held in place with wax, almost resembling a Super Saiyan.
"Didn't I already go?"
Doflamingo smiled, his tone full of disdain. "Anyone who isn't honest, I'll tear them into pieces."
"Alright then."
Trebol was actually still a bit worried.
It's only after being beaten up that one can truly feel how powerless they are.
Ian's words made them have no choice but to give up on their plan to conquer Dressrosa.
In the past, Trebol had always believed that Doflamingo was the best candidate to become the Pirate King.
However, after witnessing Ian's terrifying abilities, he realized that compared to true prodigies, compared to real monsters, Doflamingo was far too lacking.
At this moment, Doflamingo was full of confidence.
But what if, during the upcoming auction, someone sent by an Emperor showed up?
Could they resist?
Could they still claim that the Gold Gold Fruit wasn't actually up for sale and that it was just a way to attract customers?
Regardless, the Donquixote family began to move.
Trebol's worries were not misplaced.
Indeed, someone had their eyes on them.
In some corner of the New World.
"Lord Tesoro," A group of people gathered together, whispering, "Are we really going to stir up trouble at that auction? The ones hosting the auction are underground giants of the New World!"
"The Gold Gold Fruit!"
The leader of the group, a man with green hair, spoke with excitement in his eyes, "There's no Devil Fruit more suited to me!"
"No matter what, I must get my hands on it!"
Later, time passed.
The Whole Cake Sea.
Sweet City.
On top of the castle in the center of the island, under a sunshade, Charlotte Linlin was happily enjoying her afternoon tea.
"Hmm?"
Charlotte Linlin, who had been happily eating sweets, suddenly furrowed her brow.
A gust of wind blew down from the sky.
"Bloody fool!"
The world's strongest woman instantly shouted in anger, "You dare hide and show your face in front of me?"
"Sorry, BIG·MOM. Please forgive my rudeness."
A figure suddenly took the shape of Dragon. The dark green cloak fluttered lightly, and he bowed slightly toward Charlotte Linlin.
"Hmm?"
Charlotte Linlin wondered if she had seen wrong. "The Revolutionary Dragon? The leader of the Revolutionary Army? What are you doing here?"
Linlin really couldn't understand.
The Charlotte family and the Revolutionary Army have always kept their distance and never had any interactions. Why would this guy suddenly show up in front of her?
"To ask for your help."
Dragon said seriously.
"Huh?"
Linlin began to doubt if she had heard wrong.
But...
"We"?
Whoosh!
A figure suddenly fell from the sky and landed beside Dragon.
A towering figure, like a little giant, the high-ranking Revolutionary Army officer, Bartholomew Kuma, made his appearance.
"Oh?"
Linlin recalled for a moment, "Wasn't that the kid from God Valley? He's grown up so much!"
She still remembered how Kaido's Devil Fruit, the Azure Dragon fruit, was taken from this kid and his friends.
"BIG·MOM," Kuma said with sincere pleading, "Could you let your daughter, Charlotte Brûlée, help us?"
"Brûlée?"
Linlin furrowed her brow.
How did they know about Brûlée?
"She's the Paramecia-type Mirror-Mirror Fruit user, right? Able to freely move through mirror spaces?"
Kuma unconsciously clenched his fists, his face full of hope. "Can you let her help us? I need to save the one I love most!"
Charlotte Linlin's lips curled up.
She liked negotiating, especially with those who had urgent needs.
"Well then," Linlin smiled and spoke, "What can you offer me?"
Kuma fell silent for a moment.
He took a deep breath, then said,"I've heard that the Big Mom Pirates have been recruiting members from all races."
"I…"
"I am a descendant of the Buccaneers tribe!"
Linlin's eyes instantly lit up.
"Mama, Mama! You really gave me an offer I can't refuse!"
"So, how do you plan to give me the bloodline of the Buccaneers tribe?"
Kuma said seriously, "I can leave the Revolutionary Army and join the Charlotte family."
He had already made up his mind.
Dragon didn't say anything. The man had made his decision, and there was nothing more to say.
However.
"Mama, Mama!"
Linlin laughed loudly, "Rather than having you join, I'd rather have a real child from the Buccaneers tribe for myself!"
"How about this? I won't even ask you to marry me. As long as you get me pregnant, I'll grant your request!"
How could a guy whose heart is with the enemy be compared to one of her own children?
Dragon's expression immediately became strange.
Charlotte Linlin must be over fifty by now, right? Can she still have children?
He couldn't help but look at Kuma.
Honestly, he felt that this condition was much easier for Kuma than joining the Charlotte family.
Kuma's gaze was also a bit confused, and his face suddenly turned a little red.
"Oh?"
Linlin exclaimed in surprise, "You're blushing? Looks like you don't understand anything!"
"Mama, Mama! But I like innocent men. Come on, let me help you become a real adult!"
"Didn't you say you wanted to save the person you love most? You don't want anything to happen to her, do you?"
Ginni!
Kuma took a deep breath and finally revealed a determined look.
"Alright! I agree!"
Ginni, I will do anything to save you!
It's getting interesting!
**********
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